20 Brocade DCX 8510-4 Backbone Hardware Reference Manual
53-1002177-05
Cable management
2
Cables can be organized and managed in a variety of ways, for example, using cable channels on
the sides of the cabinet or patch panels to minimize cable management. Following is a list of
recommendations:
NOTE
You should not use tie wraps with optical cables because they are easily overtightened and can
damage the optic fibers.
•Plan for rack space required for cable management before installing the switch.
•Leave at least 1 m (3.28 ft) of slack for each port cable. This p rovides room to r emove and
replace the switch, allows for inadvertent movement of the rack, and helps prevent the
cables from being bent to less than the minimum bend radius.
•If you are using Brocade ISL Trunking, consider grouping cables by trunking groups. The
cables used in trunking groups must meet specific requirements, as described in the
Fabric OS Administrator’s Guide.
•For easier maintenance, label the fiber-optic cables and record the devices to which they
are connected.
•Keep LEDs visible by routing port cables and other cables away from the LEDs.
•Use Velcro® type straps to secure and organize fiber-optic cables.
ATTENTION
Do not route the cables in front of the air exhaust vent, which is located at the top of the port side
of the chassis.If you are using the Port Side Exhaust Kit with your Brocade DCX 8510-4, there is also
an exhaust vent at the bottom of the port side of the chassis. Use the cable management finger
assemblies to keep the cables away from this exhaust vent as well.
ATTENTION
High density cabling
The FC8-64 high density port blade cannot use the standard LC cables because the pitch between
optics in the new mini-SFP (mSFP) transceiver is smaller than in standard SFPs. Patch cables and
panels can be used to attach standard size cabling to the blade if necessary. Figure4 illustrates
the mSFP to SFP patch cable. Refer to “Best Practices Guide: High Density Cable Management
Solutions” (available at http://www.brocade.com) for cable management guidelines for
high-density port solutions, cable and patch panel part numbers.